Cerebrolysin: clinical evidence record
Also known as: Porcine brain peptide hydrolysate
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
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AI-friendly summary · Cerebrolysin
Used in Eastern European, Central Asian and Asian neurology practice for acute ischaemic stroke, traumatic brain injury and dementia. The Cochrane review of Cerebrolysin in acute ischaemic stroke found no convincing evidence of benefit, alongside a possible signal of harm in some analyses. Not licensed by the EMA or FDA. Not licensed in the UK.
Mechanism of action
How Cerebrolysin works
Not a single peptide. Mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids derived from purified porcine brain tissue via controlled enzymatic hydrolysis. Manufactured by Ever Pharma. Proposed neurotrophic effects in preclinical models.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on Cerebrolysin. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke: Cochrane review
Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Hoyle CHV. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020.
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Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia
Cui S, Chen N, Yang M, et al.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019.
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Cerebrolysin in traumatic brain injury (CAPTAIN-II)
Poon W, Vos P, Muresanu D, et al.. Journal of Medicine and Life, 2020.
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CARS-1 trial of Cerebrolysin in acute ischaemic stroke
Heiss WD, Brainin M, Bornstein NM, et al.. Stroke, 2012.
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Cerebrolysin and post-stroke recovery
Muresanu DF, Heiss WD, Hoemberg V, et al.. Stroke, 2016.
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Exosomes Released by Cerebrolysin-Treated Cerebral Endothelial Cells Reverse Fibrin- or tPA-Impaired Endothelial Cell Permeability
Teng H, Li C, Wang M, et al.. Cells, 2026.
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Neuroprotective Effects of Cerebrolysin in Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury with Nonoperative Lesions: A 6-Month Prospective Cohort Analysis
Boontoterm P, Sakoolnamarka S, Urasyanandana K. Asian journal of neurosurgery, 2026.
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Retraction Note: Cerebrolysin Attenuates Exacerbation of Neuropathic Pain, Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Breakdown and Cord Pathology Following Chronic Intoxication of Engineered Ag, Cu or Al (50-60 nm) Nanoparticles
Sharma HS, Feng L, Chen L, et al.. Neurochemical research, 2026.
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Biochemical and Pharmacological Studies on Kynurenic Acid Metabolism in the Helix pomatia-Snail Model of Learning and Memory
Baran H, Kronsteiner C. Biomolecules, 2026.
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[Therapy prospects for post-stroke aphasia]
Bogolepova AN. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 2026.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cerebrolysin.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where Cerebrolysin sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about Cerebrolysin
Known concerns
- Most published efficacy claims for Cerebrolysin require careful interpretation. Read the cited papers in full before drawing conclusions.
- Purity of UK research-peptide supply varies between retailers. Certificates of analysis and HPLC documentation differ.
- Cold-chain handling between manufacture and delivery is not standardised across the research-peptide market.
- Independent replication of single-group findings is the key check on any preclinical claim.
Open questions in the literature
- Where human pharmacokinetics have not been formally characterised, dose translation from animal models is not reliable.
- Long-term safety profile beyond the duration of published studies remains an open question.
- Interactions with other prescribed or unlicensed substances are typically not studied.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List. The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for Cerebrolysin?
What is the UK regulatory status of Cerebrolysin?
Has Cerebrolysin been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for Cerebrolysin?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.